Post-Baccalaureate Nursing

Wishinonastar, BSN · Jul 2, 2020

I am not clear what your undergrad was?

These are very different career paths. What are your goals? I wished I had gone with an MPH after my BSN but really there has been only one true public health job in this area in many years. I would love to work at the Health Dept! Those jobs are tough to find in some areas.

An MPH as a nurse works well with Visiting Nurses, community clinics, or school nursing, in addition to traditional Health Depts.

What drove you to an MPH? Is that desire still there? If so I would say nursing with a Public Health focus. If you really want something else- look at different career paths- research the jobs and what they do before you commit with something totally different. You worked hard for that MPH and it is not an area that interests everyone. You can put it to good use in nursing.

sns2100 · Jul 2, 2020

Thank you.

Undergrad in biological sciences, I was gonna go to med school but didn't work out, and ended up taking MPH route. I got my masters in 18 months, but no job and I get asked about 2 year experience or more in any job I apply to, and I don't have that. I am also interested in Drph program but it's a lot of work and takes 3 years.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 2, 2020

Moved to pre-nursing for best responses.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 2, 2020

If you want to be a nurse, be a nurse. A master's level entry degree is a legitimate way to do that. If you choose that route, just be sure you choose a good school -- and be prepared to start nursing with an entry-level job even though you will have and MSN. New grads are new grads, no matter what program they go to and need a little time in practice to make the successful transition to practicing nurse. But once you get a year or so of experience as a nurse, that MSN will help you move up the career ladder to higher level positions faster.

You don't have to start nursing with an MSN: you can start with a BSN or ADN. It all depends on your personal preferences and situation. A lot of people in your position start with ADN's and enter the workforce quickly to save money. Then they let their employers help pay for them to go to a program that gets them from ADN to MSN (or DNP) as they go to school part time while working and gaining hands on experience. But starting with an MSN is also good.

If you think being an ultrasound tech or PA will make you happy, then do that. No one can tell you what will work best for you. You have to choose the career that will suit YOU best. All 3 careers (nurse, u/s tech, PA) do different types of work. Which type of work appeals to you the most? That should be your main question to start with. What type of work do you want to do for the rest of your life?

Wishinonastar, BSN · Jul 3, 2020

Now we are getting somewhere. If medicine is your passion- a PA program or NP program would get you to more of what you are interested in. Both can work in public health areas if that is your interest. Me- I am a nurse, I would love to be an NP but not a PA. The focus is different. I did not go that route because NPs are limited in my state but it is changing fast! Of course there is a lot of resentment from physicians towards NPs- territorialism. I don't hear as much with PAs. I think they see them in a different light.

Either way, you should be able to transfer a lot of credits with any science program and I am sure you will figure it out. Just ask yourself what is your interest and what are your goals? Hands-on, sitting and teaching, or less personal and more diagnostic focused? Do you like people? Do you like talking to them? How about physical contact? Some people just are not meant for nursing, it is a very personal intimate kind of work. Even a good NP spends a lot more time with patients than most docs do. You can tell the difference.

I envy you, the world is out there and it is an exciting place for you to be in right now, even if choosing is hard. Good luck!

sns2100 · Jul 3, 2020

Are there any NP programs for non-nursing grads? I mean you have to have BSN or MSN first to get into NP program, right?

Wishinonastar, BSN · Jul 3, 2020

You would have to research what is in your area. I would think you would have to start at the bottom in a program that can take you from RN to NP all in one continuous program of study, but you would have some transfer credits at least. A lot of these programs are DNP now. But states are all different. There are a wide variety of programs out there. What about the 16 month program you mentioned? Do they have a NP pathway? The thing about an NP program is the pay is so much better than an RN and you could help recoup your college costs. If you work in public health in a non-profit or shortage area there are student loan relief programs too.

sns2100 · Jul 7, 2020

Thanks so much for your response. Ultrasound tech isn't on my list anymore, so that's out of the way. Now I am trying to ask around and decide between PA vs Nursing.

From your experience could you tell me the main differences between them?